13 March 2006

Policing Board failed to hold PSNI to account

Sinn Féin policing spokesperson, North Belfast MLA Gerry Kelly has dismissed the announcement of new make of the Policing Board today by British Secretary of State Peter Hain as the establishment of 'another quango' when what is needed is 'democratic accountability'.

Mr Kelly said:

"In four years the previous Policing Board failed to end political policing or tackle collusion and failed to hold the political detectives publicly to account.

"The members of this Board have all been appointed by the British Secretary of State. This is not what Patten recommended. We need democratic accountability not another quango.

"The requirement for a democratically accountable civic policing service has yet to be delivered. That is achievable through the transfer of powers on policing and justice to a restored local Assembly and Executive, within an all-Ireland framework." ENDS